THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Staff Sergeant Ivan Richard Asper Jr., Served with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Picture posted by Tom Clark, Teacher and Students, Lake Central High School, St. John, Indiana.
Please watch our video about what we have been doing in the classroom for the past 32 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohw6D-bcfPU
Picture from the Plain Dealer Library

SSGT Ivan R. Asper Jr. was a cannon crewmember serving with C Battery, 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery, 25th Infantry Division, at FSB Heidi, approximately 7 miles southeast of An Loc Airfield in Long Khanh Province, RVN. At about 4:00 PM on February 15, 1971, FSB Heidi was assaulted by elements of the 33rd NVA Regiment and local Viet Cong units. The base was hit by a combination of 81mm and 122mm rockets, mortar, and small arms fire. The entire battle lasted just 12-15 minutes. During the attack, SSGT Asper was bravely leading his team with counterbattery fire when a mortar round landed nearby, fatally wounding him and injuring at least one other. Several weeks after the battle, the firebase was moved about 5 miles away, and the new encampment was named FSB Asper. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vvmf.org]

DEAR STAFF SERGEANT ASPER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A CANNON CREWMEMBER. ARTILLERYMEN WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE IN MY HEART. REST IN PEACE.